Masquerade: The Breast Cancer Link

 
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Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer diagnosed in females in Australia. It is also the leading cause of cancer death in females. It is estimated that 13,261 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia this year.

Links have been found between the oestrogen used in Hormone Replacement Therapy and the contraceptive pill and cancer. Many chemicals used in cosmetics and cleaning products are ‘oestrogen mimics’ and therefore can increase susceptibility to cancer. One of these ‘mimics’ are chemicals called parabens, which are widely used in cosmetics, sunscreens, shampoos, cleaning products and food, even though they are known to be toxic. In the UK researchers found measurable concentrations of six different parabens in 20 human breast tumours.

Women and girls use an average of 12 personal care products daily, according to a 2004 survey conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Scientific studies have shown that the most critical windows of vulnerability to chemical exposures that contribute to later development of breast cancer are the prenatal, pre-pubertal and adolescent periods, through to a woman’s first full-term pregnancy. This is a concern given that adolescence is a time when girls begin to experiment with a lot of cosmetics and personal care products such as deodorant.

‘Puberty is a time of rapid cell development. Tissues are more sensitive to external toxicants, including those that can impair fertility and increase the risk of breast cancer,’ said Jeanne Rizzo, RN, executive director of the Breast Cancer Fund, a San Francisco-based environmental health organisation. ‘That’s why we’re concerned about hazardous ingredients in cosmetics products.’


Sources:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and National Breast Cancer Centre. www.aihw.gov.au
‘State Of The Evidence: What Is The Connection Between The Environment And Breast Cancer?’ 4th Edition 2006. www.breastcancerfund.org
Women’s Environmental Network. www.wen.org.uk
Breast Cancer Action Group. www.bcaction.org/Pages/LearnAboutUs/FollowTheMoney.html